Men Should Cry

Over the past three decades, there has been a robust body of literature in the psychological study of men and masculinity. These studies have repeatedly demonstrated that men who restrict their emotions and affections face numerous negative psychological, relational, and even physical outcomes. Men are socialized to limit their emotional expression to one emotion—anger. This restriction of their emotional range contributes to higher levels of substance abuse and other maladaptive coping mechanisms. This research has also shown that men who have more expansive emotional repertoires have better self-esteem, better life satisfaction, more relational satisfaction, and lower levels of psychopathology (e.g., depression, anxiety).